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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 09.06.22
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Ray Fittipaldo
9:49
Good morning. Let's get the chat going.
James
9:50
What’s Kevin Colbert up to these days?
Ray Fittipaldo
9:50
I've seen him at the facility for a new practices. Other than that, I'm sure he is enjoying his retirement.
Guest
9:50
Concerns at ILB and the O-line have dominated camp (along with "who should start at QB?"), but what under the radar questions are you watching closely?
Ray Fittipaldo
9:52
Well, they addressed the depth issues at OLB with the acquisition of Malik Reed and Jamir Jones. That was another big one for me. I'm interested to see what happens with Diontae Johnson this week. He has a shoulder injury. If he can't play, the Steelers have to begin the season without their No. 1 WR. That's not ideal and would put some pressure on Claypool and Pickens to perform well early in the season.
Zamo
9:52
Ray, what happened to the podcast with BB?  Have those been cancelled?
Ray Fittipaldo
9:53
Nope. They're all streamlined now with Chris Carter as the host. So Brian will be on sometimes to talk Steelers. I'll be on sometimes to talk Steelers. Maybe we'll be on at the same time. And they're available on YouTube as well as anywhere else you find podcasts.
Old Tom
9:53
A few years ago, after Willie Colon was injured before the season started, the Steelers  signed Flozell Adams, an All Pro, but Cowboys salary cap casualty.  Big Flo was a run blocking bulldozer and no one got past him.  Is there no Flo out there this go round?
Ray Fittipaldo
9:54
Jason Peters was available, but he signed with the Cowboys this week. I'd say he's in that Flozell category. But he's off the board now.
Kendrick
9:54
When is Kendrick Green still on the team? He's going to get somebody hurt.
Ray Fittipaldo
9:54
Kevin Dotson is starting. Green is a backup.
Lamar
9:54
Will Pickett be inactive for week 1?
Ray Fittipaldo
9:55
I'm sure Tomlin will be asked that question today. Maybe they'll dress three QBs.
Guest
9:56
Why is everyone whining about Pickett being listed #3? That doesn’t mean he isn’t taking significant reps in practice and everyone seems to forget Ben started his career as the #3 in camp and would have been in season before Batch and then Maddox got hurt
Ray Fittipaldo
9:56
Yes I'm waiting to hear what Tomlin has to say today on the subject. He always says don't pay attention to the depth charts. The NFL makes him disclose one. What happens in practice will really tell us what's going on.
Ron
9:57
Diontae Johnson seems to be much more injured than the Steelers let on. How many games do you anticipate him being out?
Ray Fittipaldo
9:58
Well, the good news is it's not a major injury because if it was the Steelers would have placed him on IR to start the season. So we know the Steelers consider it a week-to-week injury. The Steelers practiced Monday, but they don't have to disclose an injury report until Wednesday so we'll know more then. I'm not optimistic about Sunday, but we'll see what happens in practice this week.
leonard from austin
9:58
Hi Ray:  Would you consider the season to be a success for the organization if we finish 500 but don't make the playoffs?
Ray Fittipaldo
9:59
No, but more importantly the Steelers wouldn't either.
kevin in Punxy
9:59
Ray, do you think that HCMT putting MR at #2 and KP at #3 is just a temp thing until he feels more comfortable with MR?  Your thoughts on this.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:00
Again, I'm going to wait until I hear Tomlin talk about the matter today, but it could be that Mason is a better option if there is an in-game injury to Trubisky and Pickett the better option if there is a longer term injury.
Kane
10:00
Were you surprised that Bush got the nod over Spillane? It seems Spillane gives more effort and is a better player regardless of Bush's draft position.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:01
You mean an actual NFL teams listed the No. 10 overall pick ahead of an undrafted free agent? I'm shocked! Shocked, I tell you! Depth charts don't mean anything. Bush will play. Spillane will play and the roles could change drastically based on how they play.
John
10:01
Did Warren jumping Snell on the depth chart surprise you? Snell seems 3 or 4 steps slow to hit a hole or get to the outside.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:02
No we had that indication by the middle of camp. Warren can run, catches pass and pass protect. And he's more elusive than Snell and has more burst.
Alan
10:03
Do you see the possibility of the Steelers moving Chuks to Left Tackle at some point this season?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:03
Perhaps. Canada did not shut the door on the idea when I asked him about it last week. But it's not happening this week.
CoalportKid
10:04
Did Omar Kahn ever take up Kevin Colbert on his offer to help after Colbert's retirement?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:04
It does not appear in any official capacity, but as I said Colbert has been around.
Arturo
10:05
Hello Ray, thanks a lot for all the jnsights you share. After the NFL released the “Top 100” I wondered if players really care about it? Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
10:05
Players get riled up about a lot of things. They use it as fuel. And yes, they care. That's their peers choosing who is best. Cam Heyward is famous for letting these types of things motivate him.
Rick S
10:05
In your opion how is M Cole doing at center?  Have not heard one thing about his play, good or bad.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:06
Yeah I'd say average, but he has a new player next to him at right guard and there was a competition at left guard all summer. So hopefully he settles in with Daniels and Dotson  as his wing guys.
artie bridge
10:07
Ray, What Steeler roster moves - keeps or cuts - surprised you?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:08
Not a lot of them. I guess letting Leglue and Haeg go in favor of Jesse Davis was a small surprise. But it's not like they were starting candidates. They're just depth OL and Leglue is back on the practice squad.
Yates
10:08
Hi Ray-  From your observations is Larry O fully recovered from his injury?   Most impactful addition to D this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:08
Hard to say. They were cautious with him this summer. But he's been out at practice lately and that's a good sign.
Jana
10:08
Do you think George Pickens will be an integral part of the offense right away??
Ray Fittipaldo
10:09
100% if the pass protection holds up.
Najee
10:09
How many games will it take this OL to gel and understand Pat Meyer’s technique?
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